Baochu Pagoda in Hangzhou

On the northern shore of West Lake, at the eastern end of Precious Stone Hill (Baoshi Mountain), stands a slender and elegant ancient pagoda—Baochu Pagoda (保俶塔). It may not have the grandeur of Leifeng Pagoda or the imposing presence of Liuhe Pagoda, but with its graceful silhouette, it has stood beside West Lake for centuries like a beautiful woman gazing quietly across the water.

If you are looking for a place where you can escape the crowds, enjoy a panoramic view of West Lake, and encounter a piece of Hangzhou's thousand-year history, Baochu Pagoda is well worth the climb. Follow the stone steps up from Beishan Street, pass the reddish cliffs of Baoshi Mountain, and meet this elegant guardian of West Lake face to face across the centuries.

A “Beautiful Woman” in Stone: Baochu Pagoda and the History of Wuyue

Baochu Pagoda stands opposite Leifeng Pagoda across West Lake, creating one of the lake's most iconic scenes—a pair of ancient pagodas facing each other from north to south.

The Ming Dynasty poet Wen Qixiang once famously described them as:

“Two pagodas rise above the lake: Baochu is like a beautiful woman, while Leifeng is like an old monk.”

The comparison perfectly captures the contrast between the two landmarks. Leifeng Pagoda appears dignified and solemn, while Baochu Pagoda is slender, delicate, and graceful.

Baochu Pagoda dates back to the Kingdom of Wuyue during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period. Its original name was Yingtian Pagoda (应天塔).

There are two popular legends about how it came to be known as Baochu Pagoda.

According to one story, Qian Hongchu (钱弘俶), the last king of Wuyue, twice traveled to the Song Dynasty court to pay homage to the emperor. Local people built the pagoda to pray for his safety and his successful return. The name “Baochu” is therefore said to mean “protecting Qian Chu.”

Another legend tells of a Northern Song monk named Yongbao, who suffered from an eye disease and vowed to restore the pagoda. Because people affectionately called him “Bao Shu,” or “Uncle Bao,” the pagoda eventually became known as Baochu Pagoda.

Whether it was built to pray for the safety of a king or restored through a monk's wish for healing and light, the pagoda has carried one of humanity's simplest wishes since its very beginning: the hope for peace, safety, and a better life.

Over the centuries, Baochu Pagoda was repeatedly damaged and rebuilt. In 1933, it was reconstructed according to its traditional appearance. In 2013, it was officially listed as a Major National Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

A Pagoda You Cannot Climb, but One of West Lake's Best Viewpoints

Baochu Pagoda is a seven-story, octagonal, solid brick pagoda designed in the style of traditional wooden pavilion architecture. Since visitors cannot climb inside the pagoda, you might initially feel that you are missing part of the experience.

In reality, the real attraction lies just outside the pagoda.

Once you reach the platform beneath Baochu Pagoda, West Lake suddenly unfolds below you like a giant landscape painting.

The Bai Causeway stretches across the water like a ribbon. Broken Bridge resembles a delicate eyebrow. Gushan Island appears dark and graceful in the distance, while Pavilion in the Middle of the Lake sits like a jewel on the blue-green water. Across the lake, Leifeng Pagoda rises on the southern shore.

The disappointment of not being able to climb the pagoda quickly disappears when you discover this completely unobstructed panoramic view.

And there is more.

Baochu Pagoda stands on Baoshi Mountain, whose distinctive reddish cliffs are made from the area's characteristic Baoshi Mountain rock. Around sunrise and sunset, warm sunlight falls across the exposed rock, making the entire hillside appear to glow.

This is the famous “Precious Stone Sunset Glow” (Baoshi Liuxia, 宝石流霞), one of the classic scenic views around West Lake.

The pagoda is the graceful figure of the “beauty,” while the glowing mountain is her colorful robe.

Travel Tips for Baochu Pagoda

Best Time to Visit

Baochu Pagoda can be visited throughout the year, and each season has its own character.

Early morning is a good time to enjoy the sunrise over West Lake. Late afternoon and sunset are especially recommended for experiencing the reddish glow of Baoshi Mountain and photographing the pagoda against the evening sky.

After a spell of rain, the scenery can become even more atmospheric. Thin mist often floats above West Lake, with Baochu Pagoda appearing and disappearing among the haze like a scene from a Chinese landscape painting.

Opening Hours and Admission

Baochu Pagoda and Baoshi Mountain are free to visit and open 24 hours a day.

How Long to Spend

The walk from the foot of the hill to Baochu Pagoda takes approximately 15–20 minutes.

Allow 30 minutes to 1 hour on the hill to enjoy the views and take photographs. If you plan to explore more of Baoshi Mountain, allow additional time.

How to Get There

By Bus — Recommended:
Take a bus to Geling Station (葛岭站) or Baochu Road Station (保俶路站), then walk along Beishan Street to the entrance of Baochu Pagoda Front Hill Road.

By Metro + Bicycle:
Take the metro to Fengqi Road Station or Longxiangqiao Station, then continue by bicycle or on foot toward the Beishan Street entrance.

Driving:
Driving is not recommended. Parking around the West Lake Scenic Area can be difficult and expensive, particularly during weekends and holidays. Public transportation is generally much more convenient.

Photography Tips

Classic West Lake View

The viewing platform below Baochu Pagoda is the classic viewpoint. Use the pagoda as the foreground and frame the panorama of West Lake behind it.

This is the kind of composition often seen on Hangzhou postcards and travel photographs.

Baoshi Mountain at Sunset

Visit in the late afternoon and photograph the reddish rocks illuminated by the setting sun, with Baochu Pagoda silhouetted against the sky.

The combination of warm rock, ancient architecture, and West Lake creates one of the most atmospheric scenes in the area.

Traditional-Style Portraits

Baochu Pagoda is also an excellent location for portraits. Wearing Hanfu or simple, understated clothing can create a beautiful contrast between the ancient pagoda and the surrounding natural landscape.

Explore More Around Baochu Pagoda

Baochu Pagoda sits on Baoshi Mountain, one of the best places for a short hike beside West Lake.

A good option is to create a small Baoshi Mountain hiking loop:

Huanglong Cave → Chuyang Terrace → Baochu Pagoda → Beishan Street

Along the way, Chuyang Terrace offers another elevated viewpoint, particularly appealing around sunrise and in misty weather.

After descending from the mountain, you can easily walk to Broken Bridge and Bai Causeway.

Baochu Pagoda is also conveniently located near several other famous West Lake attractions, including Yuewang Temple (Yue Fei Temple) and Quyuan Garden (Quyuan Fenghe), making it easy to combine several sights in a half-day itinerary.

Baochu Pagoda: A Gentle Skyline of West Lake

From a prayer pagoda built during the Kingdom of Wuyue to the elegant landmark it is today, Baochu Pagoda has spent more than a thousand years becoming one of the most graceful silhouettes on the West Lake skyline.

There is no admission fee, yet the reward is generous: an elevated, open view across one of China's most beautiful urban landscapes.

If you want to experience West Lake away from the busiest tourist crowds while enjoying a magnificent panoramic view, make your way to Baochu Pagoda. Here, the pagoda is the graceful figure of a beauty, the mountain is her flowing robe, and you are standing inside one of the finest natural frames for appreciating West Lake.